On Sun, 11 Nov 2001 19:25:17 -0500, Jeff Lackey wrote:

>OK - time to take the DV plunge. Need advice from you experts.
>
>I've got a Canon VHS-C and want to go to DV. I don't need anything
>professional, I mainly want to take video of the kids, vacations,
>interviews with the older relatives,etc. Family use. And I know, from
>experience, that if the camcorder is small enough to not be a hassle,
>I'll carry it with me more.
>
>I already have a Canon G-2 digital camera, so I'm not looking for
>digital photos from the camera. I just want good DV video, convenient
>features, low-light capability, easy to use, etc.
>
>The Sony PC-9 looks small enough to carry almost anywhere. Is there a
>good reason to purchase something else, or will I be happy with the
>PC-9?

I have used a PC-9 for a few months, and generally
like it. (I'm used to fancier gear, so keep that in
mind while reading the following...;-) The picture
is a "good average" level of quality - a good balance
for sharpness/artifactng, color-saturation/bleeding,
color balance, low-light-ability/sharpness/color,
and auto-exposure-accuracy outdoors/indoors (unlike
most other Sony one-chippers, exposure is correct
outdoors (instead of slightly overexposed), and a bit
underexposed indoors (instead of correct). As with
most Mini-DV one-chippers, the low-light ability is
barely adequate, and the sharpness will not astound
you (but it will be FAR ahead of the VHS...). The
sound is good, but not outstanding. The on-screen
touch-controls are a royal pain to use (and you must
turn off the "melody-beeps" or you will drive yourself
and anyone nearby nuts while you shuffle through
[barely-visible outside] menues). For handling, I
finally settled on leaving the strap-extender bar
folded and putting only one (!) finger through the
strap, steadying the camera with the left hand
(finger on top, thumb on bottom of body, or of the
panel, if opened). The stabilizer and AF are very
good (and the stabilizer can be turned off to gain a
bit more low-light range). Overall, I would expect it
to serve you well for your purposes - the video and
sound quality are both pleasant, with few annoying
characteristics (unlike with some of the alternatives),
and it is a good "middle-of-the-road" choice (and
it is REALLY small...!).